The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2023 Reliaquest Bowl.
Emmanuel Forbes, CB
Forbes has been a key player for the Bulldogs for the last three seasons at corner. He has 143 total tackles, 14 interceptions and 19 passes defended in his career. This season, Forbes has registered 39 total tackles, six interceptions and nine passes defended.
He stands 6-foot and 190 pounds, which is ok size for an NFL corner. Forbes has displayed great ball skills in his career. He is aggressive in attacking the football, which usually works in his favor. There are some questions about his long speed that will need to be answered.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Jalen Green, S
Green started his career out at Texas, but transferred to Mississippis State for the last two seasons. He has 130 total tackles, five interceptions and 17 passes defended in his career. This season, he has registered 47 total tackles, two interceptions and six passes defended.
He has decent size for a safety at 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds. Green has made a decent amount of plays on the ball during his college career, but will need to show more run support at the next level. He has a chance to be selected late in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fifth Round Pick-Seventh Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: QB Will Rogers (6-UFA), LB Jett Johnson (UFA), DL Cameron Young (UFA)
Devon Witherspoon, CB
Witherspoon has been at Illinois for four seasons and has developed into a great corner. He has 157 total tackles, five interceptions and 25 passes defended in his career. This season, Witherspoon has 41 tackles, three interceptions and 14 passes defended.
At 6-foot and 170 pounds, Witherspoon needs to add weight to his frame to hold up against bigger receivers. He is good in man coverage and has good ball skills, which really helps his draft stock. Witherspoon could be selected early in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
*Witherspoon has opted out for this bowl game.
Chase Brown, RB
After spending one season at Western Michigan, Brown transferred to Illinois, where he became one of the best running backs in the country. He has 3,558 rushing yards, 521 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns in his career. This season, he has 1,643 rushing yards, 240 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns.
While he won’t be a huge running back, Brown has solid size at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds. He has shown quickness and good vision. Brown has plenty of production over the last two seasons to warrant consideration as a mid-round pick.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: OT Alex Palczewski (6-UFA), S Kendall Smith (6-UFA), S Sydney Brown (UFA), CB Jartavius Martin (UFA)
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